Air actuated clutch and brake device



June 7, 1949. R. E. WISSMAN 2,

7 AIR ACTUATED CLUTCH AND BRAKE DEVICE Filed April 9, 1 945 I 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR REUBEN E. lnhssmm ATTORNEHYS Patented June 7,1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE The Minster Machine Company, Minster,Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application April 9, 1945, Serial No.587,296

10 Claims.

1 This invention relates to combination clutches and brakes that areassociated with the flywheel of a mechanical press.

An object of the invention is to provide a com- Still another object ofthe invention is to provide a combination brake and clutch mechanism inaccordance with any of the foregoing objects wherein a single adjustingmechanism is probination brake, clutch and flywheel structure 5 videdfor adjusting the clearance between the that can be mounted as a unitupon an overclutch plates and the brake plates, and a minihanging shaftextending from the frame of a mum of movement of the mainclutch-actuating press without the necessity of the use of outboardplate is thereby required for completely operating hearings to supportthe outer end of the overeither the clutch or the brake. hanging shaft.Still another object of the invention is to pro- Another object of theinvention is to provide a vide an appara in accordance wi h any fcombination brake, clutch and flywheel structure he fo n obj c s where nthe combination wherein the clutch is substantially contained clutch andbrake mechanism is fluid actuated. Within the flywheel to reduce theoverall trans- Still another object of the invention wherein versedimension of the assembly and thereby proany or all of theaforementioned features of the vide a combination unit that can bemounted on combination clutch and brake mechanism are inan over-hangingshaft of a press without the corporated in the mechanism when inoperable necessity of any auxiliary support for the overassociation witha flywheel and the entire struc-, hanging h ft, ture is carried upon anover-hanging shaft of a Another object of the invention is to provide apress. structure in accordance with the foregoing ob- Further objectsand adva a W become jects wherein the principal bearing support for ppfrom the r w n d the ol w the flywheel is positioned substantially in aplane descrip midway between opposite edges of the flywheel In edreWingSI and immediately adjacent the clutch mecha- Figure 1 is an lvat nal V ew Of a mechaninisni that is partially contained within theflyal forming-press incorporating th apparatus of wheel for therebyreducing the overall transverse this invention dime i of th assemblyFigure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view Another object of theinvention is to provide a through the b ti clu c bra e a dflycombination brake and clutch assembly directly Wheel structure of s iv ntion. associated with the flywheel of a mechanical Figure 3 is adiagrammatic el r syst m press that is sufficiently sensitive inoperation for controlling the p r t n of the brake and that themechanism can be used to inch the press, clutch mechanismand willimmediately stop the press in case of In this invention, the eombinatiehbra t b1 clutch and flywheel structure indicated generally Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a by the reference numeral I0 i pd upon a combination brake and clutch for association mechanical Pressas illustrated Figure 1. he with the flywheel of a mechanical presswherein mechanical press consists of a fra e H havin one of the mainclutch plates is also a part of a crank-shaft I! t y carry a pa r ofconthe brake mechanism and is the actuating ele- 40 nectins rods l3suitably moun ed upon cranks on m rit for th h t h d t brake thedrive-shaft i2. The connecting rods I3 are still another object of theinvention is to proattached to a platen H for ovin the same tovide anapparatus in accordance with the fore- Ward and y from the 118C115 0fthe p going object wherein the main l t h m t ,1 The crank-shaft I! ofthepress overhangs the comprises the actuating piston that isfluid-operframe I l as illustrated in Figure the Combinaated for atuatin the lut h, d which is tion clutch, brake and flywheel structurel0 bespring-urged in a direction opposite to that ing completely carriedon the overhanging part which produces operation of the clutch for ac-Za 0f the drive-Shaft l2. tuating the brake. The over-hanging shaft 12asupports a brake Still another object of the invention is to promechan ma clu ch c n m 1 and a flyvide an apparatus in accordance with theforehee 18. going object wherein the spring means for The brakemechanism It and the clutch mechspring-urging the clutch in one of itsoperating anism i! are in general carried by a supporting movements aresubstantially contained within sleeve member or mounting hub l9 that hasa the piston portion of the main clutch plate. p r d n r b ill'th IS ppr p n h closing the cylinder chamber.

tapered portion 2| of the over-hanging shaft l2a and is keyed thereto bythe key I9a. The support member or mounting hub I 9 has a radial flangeon one end thereof that contains an annular recess 22 that forms thecylinder for receiving an annularly shaped piston 23 formed as anannular protection 9n the main actuating clutch-plate 25,. The annularpiston 23 is provided with cup-shaped members 26 that engage thesidewalls of the cylinder 22 for completely The cup-shaped members 26are retained in place on the annular piston 23 by means of the annularring 2 1 that is held in position by the bolts, 28.:

The outer periphery of the radial flange on the support member or hub l9has the annular recess 30 in which there is located the brake ring 3|that is confined between the brakeeband 32 carried on brake plate formedby the radial flange n the u port membe 9 an the e e be 3. carr ed othe, actuat ng rake pl t 4. a echeii o. the main. ut h pla 5- T brake n3 i c rriedhh n and. s p e e t d fr o ion by a a r o p n 35 x e ngv r mh press ame t the. ake r ps tl b inem va l xially on, th pi s 3 u onactua ion. of h brake iechenisini The clutch mechanism l1 consists ofthe main utc p a e 25 and he aux iar lutch p a 49 a a e l h d upon theup r me It y means of the spline teeth 4|, these clutch plates 25' and41! forming the driven clutch elements for driving t e mount hub r spport member l9 nd th d ive s eit. L A pl r i c p ssion springs 42 arepositioned between the clutch es 0, n .5 and ar i l c ai d wi n n la psto .3., the c ut rings 2 en hs. rm l y to d sen a e h clut m cha i andto engage the braking mechanism.

A drivin clutch ring 43 is positioned between the clutch bands 44 and 45carried by the clutch plates 25 and 40 respectively, and is supported bythe spline teeth 46 provided in the clutch ring support member 4!secured to the flywheel H; by means ofthe bolts 48,. The clutch ringsupport member 41 is generally annular in shape, and a suitable numberoi spline teeth 46 are provided for transmitting power from the flywheel[B to the clutch ring 43,

An annular ring 49. is threaded upon the threaded e d of th m untin h op ort member l 9 for adjusting the plurality of clutch plates and theplurality of brake plates in their spaced le i ns Suitable bolts 5 pass,through the, ring 49 into threaded engagement, with the clutch plate 40.to hold. the ring 49 in position after suitable adjustment has beenmade.

The flywheel l8 is provided with an annularlyshaped recess chamber whichreceives the major part of the. clutch mechanism [1 to thereby reducethe overall transverse dimension of the flywheel and the clutchmechanism. The flywheel [8 is provided with a. plate 56 positionedsubstantially midway between opposite edges of the flywheel, and whichcarries abearing housing 51. A main tapered roller bearing 53 ispositioned within the bearing housing 51 and supports the flywheel IQupon the over-l anging shaft IZa, a suitable. locking means- 59retaining. the bearing 58 in position upon the over-hanging shaft lZa.

4 bearing type is also provided within the bearing housing 5'! and ispositioned between the housing and the over-hanging shaft I2a. Thestabilizing bearing 69 is held in position in the bearing housing 51 andon the shaft l2a by the locking member 6| An end closure cap 62 enclosesthe end of the over heing s a t 1. and cl se t e bearing housing 51, theend cap 62 being secured to the bearing housin 51 by means of bolts 63.The chamber 64 provided in the bearing housing 51 is filled withlubricant for lubricating the bearings 58 and 6,0,. A lubricant seal 65is provided between the flywheel m and, the member [9 to prevent loss oflubricant from the chamber 64.

The flywheel (8 may be provided with V-grooves 7-9 to receive drivebelts H for driving the flywheel 18 and thus the shaft l2 through theclutch H.

The clutch mechanism 11 is fluid-operated by means of fluid un er pessure ad itted nto. the cylinder chamber 22. Fluid is admitted into thechamber 22 through the pressure inlet connecion 15. provid in th e d cape id inlet It will be noted that the bearing58 is positioned isubstantially midway between opposite edges. of

the flywheel l8, and therefore Carries the princiha weishtor theflywheel. A stabilizing bearing 60 or the tapered rollerconnection 1,5being suitably mounted to permit rotation of the flywheel 18 relativethereto, and communi at s wi h. a fluid passage 16. extendin axially ofthe shaft, l,2a. The fluid passage 16 terminates in the radiallydisposed passages Tl, that communicate with the. passages 18 in the suppr m m .9 that. conducts th fluid und pressure into the cylinder chamber22.

The normal position for the combination clutch and brake m c anis whenprssiirebe ow a pred t rm ned value is; no the cham e is fo the brake It oe. enga e and the clutch mechsm l to be d s ngaged. The com ressionsprings 42 normally bring about this con ition when there is no pressurein the chamber 22, or h ressure in he hamber 2 is nsufli c t o ompre sthe sprin sv 2.

t e clutch mechanism H, is to be ope eted. or dri n y co n c n t e flywl o drive wheel [8 with the drive shaft 12, pressure i l e a mi ed thr uh e n et onnec 5 or transm s on nto the cy i er chambe 22, whereupon thepiston 23 and the clutch plate 25 w be mo ed. n a r h ward irec n aus dsenga m n of. th r k me h ism t and n a ment of the cl tch me anism l hen rma p s ion f the c m in io u ch nd brake m c an sm w h the bra emechan s mal y gaged p v des a. saf c n eature whereby the press will beautomatically stopped in moving the platen I 4 should trouble occur, Bycutting on" the supply of fluid under pr ssu e to the cylinder ha er 2 eake mechanism will automatically be engaged and the. clutch mechanismdisengaged. To. accomplish this function a solenoideactuated fluidpressure control valve may be provided for controlling the supply offluid under pressure nto. the n et onnection i the, sol n d, 8 es, pr vde for. oper t n the valve 811, which. when energized, closes the valve80. to prevent u pl f f id un er pre s re through the line 82 andexhausts the fluid under pressure from the chamber 22 through this sameline 82. Suitable valves for this. purpose are Well known.

The so en 81. may e ope a ed. by a l gh urt n .3 e b sh ac ossv he y iht n ning oi the press, he Suitabl light source 84 being prov de forestabl hing he gh r ain 8.3. an a suitable. seleni cell $5. beingprovided to re-. spond to any disturbance in the light curtain 83.

The selenium cells 85 are connected through a suitable amplifier 86 tothe solenoid 8| for energizing the solenoid in response to anyinterruption in the light curtain 83.

In view of the sensitivity of the operation of the combination clutchand brake mechanism of this invention, the mechanism can be used forinching the platen. For this purpose, there is provided a push-buttoncontrol switch 81 that controls energization of the solenoid 8| toalternately operate the clutch and brake mechanism to inch the platenwhen setting dies or when doin any other work on the press.

From the foregoing description of the combination clutch, brake andflywheel mechanism, it will be apparent that the mechanisms have beenconstructed and arranged in a compact manner wherein the clutchmechanism is substantially enclosed within the flywheel and thefluid-operated piston for actuating the clutch and brake issubstantially enclosed within the brake mechanism so that the overalltransverse dimension of the assembly has been reduced to a point that itbecomes practical to install the assembly as a unit upon an over-hangingshaft on a press and eliminate the use of any outboard supports for thedrive shaft for the purpose of carrying the weight of the assembly. Itwill also be noted that the assembly of the flywheel, the clutch and thebrake is such that all of the mechanism can be assembled readily fromthe extending end of the over-hanging shaft Ho, and that the flywheel ordrive wheel It can readily be removed from the over-hanging shaft [2afor necessary inspection and repair of the clutch and brake mechanisms.

While the apparatus disclosed and described herein constitutes apreferred form of the invention, yet it will be understood that theapparatus is capable of mechanical alteration without departin from thespirit of the invention, and that all modifications that fall within thescope of the appended claims are intended to be included herein.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In the combination of a press having a drive shaft overhanging thepress frame unsupported on the outward end thereof carrying a flywheelthereon and a combination brake and clutch on the drive shaft betweenthe press frame and the flywheel, a brake plate carried on said shaftand disposed closely adjacent the frame of the press, a single brakering adjacent said brake plate and supported by the frame of the press,a clutch plate supported by said shaft, a single clutch ring adjacentsaid clutch plate and carried by the flywheel of the press, a disc-typecommon actuating member carried by said shaft between said rings foralternate engagement of either thereof, fluid operated means carried, bysaid brake plate in substantial radial alignment with said brake rin andconnected with said actuating member to engage the clutch, and springmeans between said clutch plate and said actuating member within theinner periphery of said clutch ring and between the radial planes ofsaid rings for disengaging the clutch and engaging the brake.

2. In the combination of a press having a drive shaft overhanging thepress frame unsupported on the outward end thereof carrying a flywheelthereon and a combination brake and clutch on. the drive shaft betweenthe press frame and the;

flywheel, a brake plate carried on said shaft and disposed closelyadjacent the frame of the press, a single brake ring adjacent said brakeplate and supported by the frame of the press, a clutch plate supportedby said shaft, a single clutch ring adjacent said clutch plate andcarried by the flywheel of the press, a disc-type common actuatingmember carried by said shaft between said rings for alternate engagementof either thereof, fluid operated means carried by said brake plate insubstantial radial alignment with said brake ring and connected withsaid actuating member to engage the clutch, and spring means betweensaid clutch plate and said actuating member within the inner peripheryof said clutch ring and between the radial planes of said rings fordisengaging the clutch and engaging the brake, said clutch ring andclutch plate being substantially contained within the flywheel of thepress.

3. In the combination of a press having a drive shaft overhanging thepress frame unsupported on the outward end thereof carrying a flywheelthereon and a combination brake and clutch on the drive shaft betweenthe press frame and the flywheel, a brake plate carried on said shaftand disposed closely adjacent the frame of the press, a single brakering adjacent said brake plate and supported by the frame of the press,a clutch plate supported by said shaft, a single clutch ring adjacentsaid clutch plate and carried by the flywheel of the press, a disc-typecommon actuating member carried by said shaft between said rings foralternate engagement of either thereof, fluid 1 operated means carriedby said brake plate in substantial radial alignment with said brake ringand connected with said actuating member to engage the clutch, springmeans between said clutch plate and said actuating member within theinner periphery of said clutch ring and between the radial planes ofsaid rings for disengaging the clutch and engaging the brake, and anadjusting member engaging said clutch plate on the outward side thereofrelative to the frame of the press to adjust the operating clearance ofthe clutch and brake simultaneously.

4. In the combination of a press having a drive shaft overhanging thepress frame unsupported on the outward end thereof carrying a flywheelthereon and a combination brake and clutch on the drive shaft betweenthe press frame and the flywheel, a brake plate carried on said shaftand disposed closely adjacent the frame of the press, a single brakering adjacent said brake plate and supported by the frame of the press,a clutch plate supported by said shaft, a single clutch ring adjacentsaid clutch plate and carried by the flywheel of the press, a disc-typecommon actuating member carried by said shaft between said rings foralternate engagement of either thereof and including an annular ringforming a piston operating within an annular recess in said brake platein substantial radial alignment with said brake ring for operating saidactuating member to en-- gage the clutch, means for supplying fluidunder pressure into said recess for operating said piston, and springmeans between said clutch plate and said actuating member within theinner periphery of said clutch ring and between the radial planes ofsaid rings for disengaging the clutch and engaging the brake,

5. A combination clutch and brake unit for disposition upon the driveshaft of a press between the press frame and a flywheel on the driveframe and the clutch disposed adjacent the flyaccepts 7 wheel :thatincludes, .a :hub sleeve member having anaxial opening therein formounting .of the hub upon :a :drive shaft and having a .radial flange atone end thereof forming a brake plate, brake ring means adjacent theouter portion of said brakeaplate for cooperation therewith and-adaptedfor connection to a stationary part of a press, azplurality of clutchplates tpartly carried by said Sleeve at the opposite end thereof and:rota-table therewith-and partly adapted for connection to aJpressflywheel, one of said clutch plates .mounted on :said sleeve forming acommon actuating'member between said clutch plates and said brake ring.means, fluid actuated means carried by said sleeve and said brake:plate and connected with said'common actuating member for engaging theclutch :plates, and spring means between the clutch plate carried onsaid sleeve and said.common actuating :member .at least partiallypositionedwithin'the radial plane 'of the clutch plates for releasingthe clutch plates and engaging "the brake plate.

56. A combination clutch and brake unit fondisposition upon .the driveshaft of .a press between the press frame and a flywheel on the driveshaft'with the brake disposed adjacent the press frame'and the clutchdisposed adjacent the fly- Wheel that includes, a sleeve member havingan axial opening therein for mounting thereof on alpress drive'shaft, aplurality of braking plates partly carried on said sleeve for rotationtherewithand partly adapted for connection to 'the frame of a press, .aplurality of clutch plates partly carried on said sleeve for "rotationtherewith and partly adapted "for connection .tola flywheel'carriedonthe drive s'haftofa press,'.one'=of said "brake plates and 'one of saidclutch 'plates forming a common actuating member between the brake andthe clutch, fluid actuated means :in substantial radial alignment withsaid brake plates and connected with said common=actuatting member forengaging said clutch plates, and spring means between theclutch platesand said common actuating member insubstantial radial alignment withsaid clutch plates .for releasing the'clutch plates and engagingxthebrakerplates.

-'I. A combination clutch and brake 'unit for disposition upon the'driveshaft of a press between the press frame and-a flywheel on the driveshaft with the brake disposed adjacent the press frame and 'the clutchdisposed adjacent the flywheel that'includes, a sleeve memberhaving anaxial opening therein for mounting thereof .on a press drive shaft, aplurality of braking plates partly carried on said sleeve for rotationtherewith and partly adapted 'for connection to the frame of a press, aplurality of clutch plates partlycarried'on said sleeve forrotationttherewith and partly adapted for connection to a anywheelcarried onthe driveshaft of a pressgonepf said brake plates andoneo'fsaidclutch plates forming a common actuating member between the brakeand the clutch, anannular'fluid actuated member in substantial radialalignment'with said brake plates and connected with'said commonactuating member for engaging :said clutch plates, and spring meansbetween the clutch plates and s aid common actuating member-insubstantial radial alignment with said-clutch plates for releasing theclutch plates and-.engagingthe brake plates.

8. A combination clutch and brake unit :for disposition uponthe'driveshaft of azpressbetween the press frame and a fly-wheelon thedrive shaft with the brake -:disposed adj acent theipress-frameandithe-clutclr disposed adjacent the flywheel that includes, a mounting:hub, a brake plate carried on :said hub at .one endthereof rotatabletherewith, a clutch plate carried on said hub at the opposite endthereof and rotatable therewith, a brakei'ringrand a clutch ringpositioned between said plates-and cooperatingrespectively with thebrakeplate-andithe clutch plate, said clutch ring andsaidbrake ringbeing adapted for connection respeotivelyitoa flywheel on the driveshaft of the press and the press frame, a common actuating membercarried by said hub rotatable therewith and positioned between saidrings, fluid operated means ."positioned in said brake plate insubstantial :radial alignment with said brake ring and connectedwithisaidcommon actuating member .forengagingthe clutch, and springmeans between.saidiclutchrplateand said common actuat ingzmember withinthe inner periphery of said clutchrringxandbetween the radial planes ofsaid ringslfor -disengag'inglthe clutch and engaging the brake.

9. :A combination clutch and brake unit for disposition -upon the driveshaft of a press between'the press frame and aflywheel on the driveshaftwithzthe brakedisposed adjacent the press frame and the clutchdisposed adjacent the flywheel that includes, a mounting hub, a brakeplate carried on said'hub at one end thereof rotatable therewith,a'clutchplate carried on said hub at the ioppositeend thereof androtatable therewith, aLbra'ke :ring and a clutch 'ring positionedbetween *said plates'and cooperating respectively with the brake plateand the clutch plate, said clutch ring and .said'brake ring beingadapted for connection respectively to a flywheel on the drive shaft ofthepress and'thepress frame, a common actuating member carried by saidbut) rotatable therewith and positioned between said rings, an annularfluid operated spiston positioned in an annular recess in said brakeplate positioned aroundxsaid hub in substantial radial alignmentwithsaid brake'ringand connected with said common actuating member forengaging the clutch, spring means between said clutch plate and saidactuating'member within the inner periphery of said clutch ring andsubstantially between the radial. planes of said clutch and brake ringsfor disengaging the clutch and engaging the brake, and an adjustingimember carried on said hub engaging.saidiclutch-plateto move the samerelative :to the brake plate to adjust the operating clearancefortheclutchand'brake simultaneously.

10. A combination clutch and brake unit for disposition-upon the-driveshaft of a press between the press frame and a flywheel on the driveshaft withlthe-brake disposed adjacent the press frame and the clutchdisposed adjacent the flywheel that .-includes,a brake plate forpositioning adjacent t'he press frame and having an axially extendingmounting hub integral therewith to extend outwardly from the frame ofthe press, a clutch plate-carried on said hub at the outwardendi-thereof and'rotatable therewith, a brake ring andia clutch ringpositioned between said plates andrcooperatingrespectively with thebrake plate and the clutch plate, saidclutch ring and said brakering'being adapted for connection respectivly'ito a flywheel on thedrive shaft of the press and the press frame, a common actuatingmembercarried by said hub rotatable therewith and positioned betweensaid rings, fluid operated] means positioned in said brake plate insubstantial :radial alignment with said brake ring and connectedwith'sa'id common actuating memher for engaging the clutch, and springmeans between said clutch plate and said common actuating member Withinthe inner periphery of said clutch ring and between the radial planes ofsaid rings for disengaging the clutch and engaging 5 the brake.

REUBEN E. WISSMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Name Date Groene Nov. 13, 1923 Rodeet a1 July 23, 1935 Hubert Sept. 17, 1935 Criley Aug. 10, 17937 Harwoodet a1. May 23, 1939 Wissman Nov. 14, 1939 Johansen May 20, 1941 FOREIGNPATENTS Country Date Great Britain Aug. 22, 1940

